https://www.broadwayworld.com/colombia/article/PHOTO-FLASH-In-Rehearsals-for-ELLA-ES-COLOMBIA-20180703
This is an abstract of the article "PHOTO FLASH: In Rehearsals for ELLA ES COLOMBIA," published by BroadwayWorld on July 3, 2018.
Overview
The article provides an exclusive first look into the rehearsal process of "Ella Es Colombia," an ambitious original musical produced by the renowned Colombian theater company Misi Producciones. Directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Luis Salgado (In the Heights, On Your Feet!), the production is described as a "fantasy-filled fable" that celebrates the cultural soul, biodiversity, and folklore of Colombia.
Plot and Themes
The musical follows the journey of Aluna (played by Natalia Bedoya), a young woman who discovers her mission is to maintain universal unity through the magical power of her voice. Set in the mystical land of "Macondo," the story weaves together:
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Colombian Heritage: Inspiration from the legends of the Kogui indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada.
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Symbolism: Key artifacts like the "gaita of three colors" and a golden poporo containing an army of yellow butterflies (a nod to Gabriel García Márquez’s magical realism).
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Environmental & Social Messaging: A call for the protection of natural resources and national unity in the face of the "Monster of a Thousand Faces" (the ego).
Production Details
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Creative Team: Written by María Isabel Murillo ("Misi"), Julio Lucena, and Diego León Hoyos. The score features orchestrations by Victoriano Valencia and Tony Award-winner Larry Hochman. Musical director: Leonardo Palacios
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Cast: The production stars Natalia Bedoya as Aluna and Héctor Daniel Tovar Lasso as Viento (the Wind), supported by a 30-member ensemble of local actors, dancers, and singers.
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Visuals: The rehearsals highlight Salgado’s high-energy choreographic style and a production design that integrates the works of famous Colombian painters (like David Manzur and Carlos Jacanamijoy) into the set and projections.
Conclusion
The article emphasizes the production's role as a transformative artistic project for the Colombian theater scene, blending Broadway-caliber direction with deeply rooted national traditions. It frames the show not just as entertainment, but as a "sensory journey" through Colombia’s diverse regions, from the Amazon to the Caribbean coast.